Rick Langenberg
Cripple Creek is a gambling town that has sported big wagers on mega developments, new casino expansions, city festivals and even heritage tourism bids.
Now, town leaders are throwing their chips onto the table to tackle a desperate need in the community: Early childcare education and daycare services. The result of this wager could determine whether Cripple Creek’s ambitious housing and boom population aspirations thrive, or if the community’s bid to attract families instantly dies.
The Cripple Creek City Council recently gave the thumbs-up for the city to become the lead applicant for an ambitious Community of Caring project that could offer childcare for local employees for their young kids, ranging from infants to 12-years-of age. The city will act as the key fiscal agent in endorsing the project, a slot that was earlier explored by Teller County. The nearly $4 million center is slated for completion in 2026 and will be done in two phases of development.
The two-story,9,000-square-foot-
“There has been a tremendous amount of support for the project,” said Ted Borden, the executive director of the Aspen Mine Center, who has helped spearhead the project through a task force formed in 2019. That effort got somewhat stymied by the COVID epidemic, but interest has escalated in the last two years. Borden cites a laundry list of productive meetings with local casinos, the Cripple Creek gaming association, civic leaders and other big employers in the area, such as Newmont Mining.
The center will be employee-based and is aimed at helping casino workers and other employees in southern Teller. This won’t be a Head Start program, stressed the Community of Caring representatives. “We want to make it affordable,” said Borden.
The community stakes are extremely high, as past daycare projects have fallen by the wayside. And unless a major childcare outlet is developed locally, the town’s future is in jeopardy. “You are not going to have young families coming to Cripple Creek,” said Patty Waddle, a volunteer for Community of Caring, and a veteran leader of the region’s educational efforts and a former Head Start director.
Waddle cited staffing as one of the biggest challenges for the new center. Borden said initially students from the Cripple Creek/Victor RE-1 District, through an education program, will be used to watch over the center users and interact with them.
Project Rounding the Bases
The project is rounding first base, as Community of Caring is putting the final touches on a $1 million Energy and Mineral Impact grant, through the state Department of Local Affairs.
More importantly, good political timing could be on the side of Cripple Creek through a surprising ally: Colorado Governor Jared Polis. Polis may not win any popularity contests among area law officers, but his support for early childcare education could help bring the project to the finish line.
“His interest in this issue could really help us,” admitted Borden.
The center has already received a $800,000-plus grant from the state’s Department of Early Childhood. This grant, though, required a $260,000 match.
And although no bets are completely safe when it comes to grants, the prospects look promising for landing the additional $1 million grant from DOLA and getting more donations. “We are very encouraged,” said Borden.
Another positive sign has been the involvement by DOLA representatives. In fact, Todd Leopold, the regional manager of DOLA, attended the mid-July council meeting during which the project was discussed at length. Leopold made it clear he was a definite advocate of the Community of Caring childcare project
The council approved the plans for the center, and more importantly, the city’s role as the lead fiscal agent. Several council members also cited the past successes of the Community of Caring in completing key projects
Project Concerns
The only concerns voiced by elected leaders dealt with the size of the facility and operational details.
“$3.4 million is a lot of money,” said Cripple Creek Mayor Pro Tem Bruce Brown, at their July 17 meeting.
He wondered if the project could be scaled down a little to make it more realistic for the community.
However, when the Community of Caring representatives addressed the timing of the project and the needs they face, Brown changed his tune somewhat.
However, costs weren’t the only concern raised by the council.
City attorney Erin Smith raised questions regarding operational details. She requested a model example, as to what the project would entail, and spelling out Cripple Creek’s role.
Although giving the green light to serve as the lead applicant, the council wanted to review further the overall management plan.
Borden, in a later interview, stated that Community of Caring would orchestrate the development, but it would not be the operator. That function would be handled by a management company or nonprofit group specializing in childcare services. “We do not want to get into the childcare business,” said the Aspen Mine director.
He said there are a variety of management models they are reviewing.
And even if the project gets the necessary grant, a fairly ambitious, capital fund-raising campaign is necessary to reach the finish line.
To date, the project has done quite well, such as securing a $50,000 contribution from Teller County, and big dollar amounts from Newmont and other employers.
Still, the Community of Caring has a hefty funding mountain to climb and must secure thousands of dollars in private money. Borden said they also, with the help of Waddle’s expertise, will strive to obtain a number of grants from foundations.
The Community of Caring should know fairly shortly, if it will receive an additional $1 million grant for the project.
One fact remains certain. The area is dealing with a childcare assistance crisis. Many workers currently fork out hundreds of dollars a week for childcare services outside of the area, or just have to rely on the help of family members and friends.
“The need is tremendous in this community,” admitted Borden.
